I gave the DJI Mavic 4 Pro 5 stars but you still can’t buy it in the US — I’d recommend these 3 drones instead – 1v1 Video Chat & LIve Streaming & Influencer Subscription

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I just tested the new DJI RC Pro 2 drone controller — and it’s a beast for content creation on the fly

I’ve been testing this mini drone for a month — and it’s the ultimate DJI alternative

I’ve tested drones for years — and these are the ones I’d recommend for beginners

But for Americans who can’t get the drone (yet, that may change in the future), fret not. I’m a licensed drone pilot, and I test the best drones, and there are alternatives from DJI available. They may not all be as powerful as the Mavic 4 Pro, as that drone has set a new standard, but they’re still extremely good.

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

(Image credit: DJI / Tom’s Guide)
The first alternative on this list is, of course, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, the Mavic 4 Pro’s predecessor. With the RC controller, it’s priced similarly to the Mavic 4 Pro: it’ll set you back by $2,199 / £2,367. While its successor captures 6K/60fps footage, the Mavic 3 Pro captures 5.1K/50fps, which is still fantastic and extremely smooth. It’s got 10-bit D-Log M too to capture a wide dynamic range and 1.07 billion individual hues for more freedom in post-production and while color grading.
Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is also at play here, letting you fly with more confidence. The Mavic 3 Pro’s flight time stands at 43 minutes (8 minutes fewer than the Mavic 4 Pro), so you can undertake long flights.

DJI Mavic 3 Pro with RC: $2,199 at Amazon
With three cameras that capture detailed stills, 5.1K/50fps video, a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilizing footage, a long flight time, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and other goodies, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a fantastic Mavic 4 Pro alternative. It’s the drone that comes closest to DJI’s latest creation.

Similar to its successor, the Mavic 3 Pro utilizes three cameras (with a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilizing footage): 48MP Medium Tele, 20MP Hasselblad and 12MP Tele. It’s excellent for any kind of landscape and nature shot, really.

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(Image credit: Future)
The DJI Air 3S sits at the top of our best drones buying guide, and it’s my favorite drone — I rarely go anywhere without it. Again, not as advanced as the DJI Mavic 4 Pr,o but I believe it’s the next best thing. It’s extremely easy to fly with either the RC-N3 or the RC-2 controller, and it captures stunning 4K/60fps footage, detailed RAW photos, and a wide dynamic range in D-Log M.
Unlike the Mavic series, the Air 3S utilizes two cameras — 12MP/50MP Wide-Angle and 48MP Medium Tele — and the photos it captures are incredibly detailed, even while using the drone’s 9x digital zoom. Its flight time is two minutes longer than the Mavic 3 Pro’s, too!

DJI Air 3S with RC-N3: $1,099 at Amazon
The new DJI Air 3S is an outstanding drone with a dual-camera system that lets aerial videographers and travel photographers capture wide-angle and medium telephoto shots. With a large 1-inch sensor, next-gen obstacle avoidance, 42GB internal storage, and superb low-light performance, this is the best 4K/60fps drone money can buy right now.

You also get 42GB of internal storage and a slot for a microSD card, and omnidirectional obstacle sensors to avoid crashing into objects. The Air 3S is also a more affordable alternative to the Mavic series, so if you want to save money while waiting for the Mavic 4 Pro but still want a highly capable drone, I’d recommend the Air 3S any day.
See sample footage and images in my full DJI Air 3S review.

(Image credit: Future)
This one’s a bit of a wild card, as the DJI Flip is what I’d describe as a cheap drone — its price tag is nearly a third of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro! But that doesn’t mean you should underestimate the Flip. It’s a great budget alternative if, again, you want to save for the Mavic 4 Pro. It’s the easiest drone to get a hang of, and I’d recommend getting the RC-2 controller for it (700-nits of brightness packed into its touchscreen) for easy and comfortable flying. And if you’re a Star Wars fan, I think you’ll really enjoy its design as it looks like a droid.
Unlike the Air 3S, the Flip has just one camera that takes 48MP stills, and they look absolutely beautiful. A three-axis mechanical gimbal is at play here, again, so you don’t have to worry about footage being shaky. Again, the drone captures 4K/60fps footage or FHD/100fps slow-mo footage.

DJI Flip with RC-2: $639 at Amazon
The DJI Flip is a solid mid-range drone, perfect for those looking to upgrade from older DJI models. It captures detailed 48MP stills in all lighting conditions, and records gorgeous 4K/60fps footage. It’s great for content creators as it features many shooting modes, plus it’s built really well and sports a slick design.

What I love about the Flip is that it’s under 249g, so you don’t necessarily need to register with the F.A.A. in the U.S. or the C.A.A. in the U.K. to fly it — unlike the other two drones on this list. Although it’s lightweight, you’ll have to be mindful of gusts of wind as they can knock the Flip off course. Obstacle avoidance is also limited to front-facing only, so you’ll need to watch for hindrances.
See sample footage and images in my full DJI Flip review.

So, while you wait for the DJI Mavic 4 Pro to hopefully land in the U.S. market someday, is there any drone you’ll be buying to pass the time? Or to step up your aerial photography skills before taking to the sky with the Mavic 4 Pro? Let me know in the comments below!
More from Tom’s Guide

I just tested the new DJI Flip and it might be the best drone for newbies — here’s why
I just tested this new DJI drone that combines aerial and mirrorless camera prowess — and I can’t get enough of it
The DJI Air 3S is the one drone I’d buy with my own money — here’s why it brings me unbridled joy

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Nikita Achanta

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Staff Writer, Reviews

Nikita is a Staff Writer on the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She’s a lifelong gaming and photography enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest tech. Having worked as a Sub Editor and Writer for Canon EMEA, she has interviewed photographers from all over the world and working in different genres. When she’s not working, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, flying a drone (she’s a licensed drone pilot), at a concert, or watching F1. Her work has appeared in several publications including Motor Sport Magazine, NME, Marriott Bonvoy, The Independent, and Metro.

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